Story by Brian Byas
So, while I was at the Kaikoura museum, I was doing some follow-up research on my mum’s family, who were from here. Her grandfather was in every society here. The drama club, the lodge, the A & P association, and the Brass band conductor. Musical society and Lions. He died in the early 1950s.
He had 9 children, including my grandmother.
All of them moved away, apart from one son, who died this year at the age of 100.
I found out that he had a couple of other occupations my mother and I weren’t aware of.
I knew he was a builder and a farmer, but the lodge listed him as a “traveller” and he was also listed as being a couple owner in a saddlery business at one point.
Now, all of this provides context for the “paranormal” event. You know me well, Mark, and know what I think about it all. But this is what occurred.
About 4 am this morning, I stirred from my sleep to find my grandmother sitting on the edge of the bed. She thanked me for taking the time to research her dad. She then provided me with information as to the previously unknown occupations he had.
She told me the “traveller” job was for the saddlery, where he travelled around selling stuff for the horses and wagons. (One of his horse blankets is on display in the museum.)
She said the business partner was a friend of his from the lodge, which I confirmed in the lodge records this morning. He proposed my great-grandfather as a member.
Almost as soon as I realised it was her talking to me, I wanted to ask about my mother. She got up and walked out of the room through the wall near the bed!
Now, far be it from me to say it’s definitely paranormal. It may well have been my mind dreaming because I’d been thinking about her and her father all day.
But it makes a great paranormal story!
